INFOGRAPHICS: Nigeria’s Population Profile

INFOGRAPHICS: Nigeria’s Population Profile

By David Ndukwe

2 of every 100 persons in the world are Nigerians.

The current world population is 7.3 billion people. China is currently the most populous country in the world with 1.37 billion people and Nigeria is currently the 7th most populous country in the world and most populous in Africa with 182 million people.

The World population is the highest it has ever been, however it is projected to increase by over 2 billion people in 2050. It is estimated by Population Reference Bureau [PRB] that the world’s population by 2050 would be 9.8 billion people. Then India would overtake China and be the most populous country with a population of 1.66 billion people with a 26% increase. China is tipped to control her population and have a 0.44% reduction to 1.36 billion.

Nigeria interestingly is projected to have more than doubled its population to 397 million people. That represents a 110% increase, which would make Nigeria the 4th most populous country in 2050. Nigeria’s birth rate has reduced from previous records to 39 per 1000, even though it is still relatively higher than the world average of 19.15 per 1000. This reduction can be related to the increase in the use of contraceptives and education in family planning. With the crude death rate standing at 14 per 1000 the natural rate of increase is 0.024. So the Nigerian population net growth for the year is 4.4 million people.

In 1950, only 30 percent of the world’s people lived in cities. That has grown to 54 percent in 2014. By 2050, a two-third of humankind will live in cities. Nigeria currently has a urban population of 91 million people (50%) lower than the World average of 54%. That is however keeping to pace with the projected figures. In 2050, Nigeria would be 68% urban, which is projected to be higher than both West African average of 62% and African average of 57%.

Sources:

Population Reference Bureau;United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2016);World Urbanization Prospects: The 2014 Revision;World Bank.